FA honours Kick It Out anniversary with black and white England footage

The Football Association honoured Kick It Out’s 25th anniversary as England walked out onto the pitch in black and white ahead of the friendly against Switzerland in Leicester.

The footage was commissioned by the governing body to recognise Kick It Out’s landmark anniversary and acknowledge the impact the organisation has made in tackling racism and all forms of discrimination in the game since 1993.

The first 25 seconds of the live Sky Sports coverage was shown in black and white as the teams took to the pitch at the King Power Stadium, the first time England action had been broadcast without colour in nearly half a century.

Black and white footage was commissioned by the FA to recognise Kick It Out´s landmark anniversary (Peter Byrne/PA)

Sky Sports Presenter David Jones said during the broadcast: “No need to adjust your set. The pictures are black and white because for the first time the FA are dedicating this fixture to Kick Out to recognise their 25th anniversary, on the international stage.

“Twenty-five seconds to mark the impact that Kick It Out has made in tackling racism and all forms of discrimination, as well as promoting diversity in the game for all.”

England players had shown their support before the match by warming up in branded t-shirts and entering the pitch alongside eight mascots nominated by the anti-discrimination organisation.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Kick It Out chair Lord Herman Ouseley said the charity was delighted with the gesture and hoped it would be a “powerful reminder of how far football has come in the last 25 years to make the a game a more open and diverse place”.